Snapper, Rusty Jobfish (Lehi) – U.S. Hawaii

Rusty Jobfish is a moderately-long lived snapper species, found in deep tropical and subtropical waters across the Indo-Pacific from Hawaii to East Africa.

In Hawaii, Rusty Jobfish are caught in a mixed fishery with other deep water snappers and groupers, which collectively are called the Hawaii Deep 7 Bottomfish complex. These species are managed through annual catch limits and closed fishing areas. While the Deep 7 Bottomfish complex as a whole is considered to have a healthy abundance, the abundance of individual species is unknown. Catches of Rusty Jobfish are low relative to other Deep 7 species.

Rusty Jobfish are caught with handlines, which cause little damage to bottom habitats. Few non-target species are caught, however a species of high conservation concern (Hawaiian grouper) is targeted in the Deep 7 Bottomfish fishery.